Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Supported by the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, 10 Emirati SMEs had the opportunity to explore international partnerships and export prospects by participating in Grains Africa 2025 — one of the continent’s leading platforms for agriculture and food security.
These small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) showcased innovations in agri-tech, sustainable farming, packaging, and food manufacturing, during the event held in Nairobi, Kenya, from August 21 to 23.
To maximise impact, Khalifa Fund identified high-potential SMEs from the food, beverage, and packaging sectors and provided full logistical support, including booth fees and visibility arrangements. The initiative aimed to boost exports and open new growth avenues for Emirati entrepreneurs in global markets.
“Participation in Grains Africa 2025 advances Khalifa Fund’s global strategy by enabling SMEs to diversify into new markets, enhance their competitiveness, and establish international trade connections,” Mariam Abdulrahman Musallam, Head of the Monitoring and Evaluation Section at Khalifa Fund, told Aletihad in an interview.
“By taking part in the exhibition, we seek to form partnerships with international buyers, importers, and distributors, not just for grain and agri-products, but also across other significant priority sectors,” Musallam said.
Entering the Global Market
Khadija Abdullah Farhan Aldandal, CEO of East Gate Bakery Equipment Factory—one of the participating SMEs—expressed her determination to expand the global reach of their products.
“This ambition would not be possible without the unwavering support of Khalifa Fund, whose continuous assistance has enabled us to explore new markets and proudly promote ‘Made in the Emirates’ products on global platforms,” Aldandal told Aletihad.
East Gate is known for its durable, affordable, and well-supported machines, she said.
“When entering new markets such as Kenya, we follow a structured approach… We study customer needs and adapt our product accordingly. By listening to customers and being flexible, we deliver value that respects both the economic reality and cultural identity of African markets.”
At Grains Africa 2025, the company was given the opportunity to establish new relationships and position itself as a reliable partner in the continent’s growing bakery industry, Aldandal said.
Another exhibition participant, Mohamed Rashed Alnuaimi of Printing Talk, agreed that East Africa is a promising market with untapped potential.
“The region’s economic growth, young population, and increasing demand for innovative solutions make it a natural next step. Khalifa Fund has been a key enabler, offering us the financial tools, strategic guidance, and confidence to take the first steps toward international expansion,” Alnuaimi said.
Printing Talk, he added, balances performance with affordability, meets Kenyan standards, and adapts packaging to local needs.
“Our primary goal is to establish relationships with potential distributors, government agencies, and industry leaders who can support our market entry. We are also seeking opportunities for joint ventures and knowledge exchange to ensure a smooth and impactful launch,” Alnuaimi said.
The Emirati entrepreneur expressed optimism that Printing Talk could create a lasting economic impact in Kenya.
“Once operational, we aim to create local jobs, offer skills training, and build supply chain networks that strengthen Kenya’s economic fabric. This approach mirrors the UAE’s commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development in international markets,” he said.
Expanding SME Export Initiatives
To gauge SMEs’ global competitiveness, Khalifa Fund tracks their growth in the market, the strength of their brands, and the scale of their networks, Musallam said, highlighting the importance of measuring long-term outcomes.
“Key SME performance metrics, such as export deal volumes and post-exhibition values, new market entries or partnerships, revenue growth, and sustained export activity up to 12 months after the event, can all be utilised to assess long-term impact,” she said.
Building on the momentum from Grains Africa, Khalifa Fund plans “to further broaden its SME export initiatives by targeting trade fairs in key markets in Africa, such as South Africa and Egypt, focusing on the food, manufacturing, and tech sectors”, Musallam said.
